The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released an official directive dated December 5, 2025, encouraging higher education institutions across the country to actively conduct programmes, workshops, and seminars focused on enhancing women’s participation and empowerment. This move reinforces the transformative agenda of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which champions accessible, inclusive, and learner-centric education.
NEP 2020, regarded as one of India’s most comprehensive educational reforms, highlights the need for holistic and multidisciplinary learning. A crucial pillar of this policy is its emphasis on gender inclusion, acknowledging that empowering women in academic spaces is essential for social progress and national development.
Women’s representation in higher education significantly influences growth across academia, research, leadership, and entrepreneurial sectors. As India accelerates toward a knowledge-driven future, expanding opportunities for women to learn, innovate, and lead becomes increasingly vital.
The UGC’s communication urges institutions to cultivate supportive environments where women – students, educators, and staff, can pursue their personal and professional goals confidently. Recommended activities include:
- Gender sensitization sessions
- Leadership and capacity-building programmes
- Legal rights and awareness workshops
- Seminars on workplace equality
- Entrepreneurship training
- Digital and financial literacy initiatives
These efforts aim to not only inform but empower, promoting mentorship, dialogue, and collective action on issues that influence women’s experiences within academic settings from safety and wellbeing to career growth and leadership representation.
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The circular also encourages universities to partner with prominent national bodies such as:
- The National Commission for Women
- The Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women
- Former senior civil servants
- Influential women leaders across sectors
Such collaborations bring invaluable insights, diverse perspectives, and inspiring stories that can motivate students and faculty to champion gender equality more actively.
By spearheading these empowerment initiatives, the UGC aims to build campuses that are dynamic, safe, and encouraging spaces where women can pursue leadership roles, engage in innovation, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. These programmes help institutions address systemic barriers, promote equal opportunities, and amplify women’s voices in academia.
The UGC’s call to action underscores the powerful role of educational institutions in shaping a society that nurtures and uplifts women. With consistent effort and well-designed programmes, India’s higher education system can lead the way in building a more equitable and inclusive future.
